Chennai

Political parties in Tamil Nadu have started 24/7 monitoring of strong rooms where Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and VVPAT units are being stored after polling for the Assembly elections concluded on April 23.

With vote counting scheduled for May 4, the Election Commission of India has moved the machines to secured storage centres across the state.

Major parties including the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the opposition All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam said their workers would remain stationed near the strong rooms in shifts until counting day.

An AIADMK representative said party cadres would maintain continuous vigil inside the permitted campus areas and keep watch on all entry and exit points.

A senior DMK functionary from Pallavaram said party volunteers had been issued identity cards and arrangements such as food and drinking water had been made for those on duty. He added that workers had been instructed to cooperate with representatives of other parties to ensure smooth monitoring.

Election officials said the strong rooms were sealed in the presence of party representatives and observers, with full documentation and video recording. CCTV surveillance has been installed at all centres and is being monitored continuously. Security personnel, including central armed forces and state police, have also been deployed.

Officials added that party representatives were allowed to keep watch outside the storage areas under specific terms and conditions.

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Polling for all 234 Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu took place on Thursday. The main contest is between the DMK-led alliance, the AIADMK-led bloc, and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam led by actor-politician Vijay.